Tool to straighten wall studs

ABSTRACT

A hand tool that allows a user to properly align a wall stud relative to a top or bottom plate and, without requiring assistance from another person, to retain the stud in alignment while nailing the stud to the respective plate. The tool is compact and can easily be carried in a tool pouch for instant retrieval when needed. An additional feature allows the tool to be employed as an aid to move the finished wall frame to its proper location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to hand tools. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a tool utilized to straighten wall studs and the like for nailing without assistance.

2. Description of the Related Art

When constructing an interior or exterior wall from lumber, the construction worker (framer) usually begins by framing the wall in a horizontal position. It is extremely important that the wall studs are true and completely square with respect to the bottom and top cross pieces (commonly referred to as the bottom and top plates) of the wall. Failure to achieve proper alignment before nailing may present difficulties in installing other wall components such as sheetrock and/or paneling.

Heretofore, proper alignment of the stud has been accomplished by hand. The framer would grasp the stud with one hand and twist until the end of the stud was square with the particular plate. While still grasping the stud, the framer would then attempt to nail the stud to the plate. This endeavor entailed more than average dexterity and strength and often required the aid of another worker. Once the wall is constructed, it is rotated to an upright position and carried to its proper location. An easy-to-use, inexpensive hand tool that would alleviate the twisting and nailing problem and also provide an assist in carrying the wall to its proper location would certainly be a welcome addition to the art.

There are many hand tools disclosed in the related art, and cited in the accompanying IDS, which attempt to resolve the aforementioned problem. However, none of the above cited inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a hand tool for aligning wall studs as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is a hand tool that allows a user to properly align a wall stud relative to a top or bottom plate and, without requiring assistance from another person, to retain the stud in alignment while nailing the stud to the respective plate. The tool is compact and can easily be carried in a tool pouch for instant retrieval when needed. An additional feature allows the tool to be employed as an aid to move the finished wall frame to its proper location.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a tool to straighten and hold a stud for nailing according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an environmental, perspective view of a tool to straighten and hold a bottom plate for nailing according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an environmental, perspective view of a tool used as an aid for moving and placing a finished wall frame into its proper position according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tool to straighten and hold a stud for nailing according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Attention is directed to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings wherein the tool of present invention is generally indicated at 10. In FIGS. 1 and 2 respectively, tool 10 is illustrated just prior to engagement with a wall stud 12 and with a bottom plate 14. In FIG. 3 the tool is employed to assist a user when moving a framed wall W to its proper location.

As best seen in FIG. 4, tool 10 comprises a straight handle 20 having a proximate end 20 a and a distal end 20 b. The handle is approximately 12 inches long and is fabricated from metal rod stock no larger than ¾ inches in diameter. A pair of tubular members 22 and 24 (also fabricated from metal rod stock no larger than ¾ inches in diameter) is fixed to handle 20. Member 22 extends perpendicularly from the distal end 20 b. Member 24 extends perpendicularly from the handle in the same direction as member 22, however member 24 is spaced from member 22 in a direction toward proximate end 20 a. The members are coextensive and spaced apart approximately 1¾ inches. Each member is approximately 2¾ inches long. A 5 inches long rubber sleeve 26 covers the proximate end of the handle. The above-defined arrangement presents a tool that can be efficiently used with 2×4 and 2×6 lumber stock, allowing the user to twist the stock to its proper position and apply nails thereto. Although metal is indicated as the material of choice, it is envisioned that the tool might also be fabricated from a high-density plastic material.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A tool to straighten wall studs, comprising: a straight, tubular handle, said handle having a proximate end and a distal end; a first tubular member attached to said handle and extending perpendicularly from said handle; a second tubular member attached to said handle and extending perpendicularly from said handle in a direction the same as said first tubular member; and a sleeve mounted on said handle at said proximate end.
 2. The tool to straighten wall studs according to claim 1, wherein said first tubular member and said second tubular member are attached to said handle adjacent said distal end.
 3. The tool to straighten wall studs according to claim 1, wherein said first tubular member is spaced a distance from said second tubular member.
 4. The tool to straighten wall studs according to claim 1, wherein said first tubular member and said second tubular member are coextensive.
 5. A tool to straighten wall studs, comprising: a straight, tubular handle, said handle having a proximate end and a distal end; a first tubular member attached to said handle adjacent said distal end and extending perpendicularly from said handle; a second tubular member attached to said handle and extending perpendicularly from said handle in a direction the same as said first tubular member, said second tubular member being spaced a distance from said first tubular member; and a sleeve mounted on said handle at said proximate end.
 6. The tool to straighten wall studs according to claim 5, wherein said distance that said second tubular member is spaced from said second tubular member is approximately 1¾ inches.
 7. The tool to straighten wall studs according to claim 5, wherein said handle, said first tubular member and said second tubular member are fabricated from tubular metal stock.
 8. The tool to straighten wall studs according to claim 7, wherein said tubular metal stock has a diameter of approximately ¾ of an inch.
 9. A tool to straighten wall studs, comprising: a straight, tubular handle, said handle having a proximate end and a distal end; a first tubular member attached to said handle adjacent said distal end and extending perpendicularly from said handle; a second tubular member attached to said handle and extending perpendicularly from said handle in a direction the same as said first tubular member, said second tubular member being coextensive with said first tubular member and being spaced a distance from said first tubular member; and a rubber sleeve having a length of approximately 5 inches mounted on said handle at said proximate end.
 10. The tool to straighten wall studs according to claim 9, wherein said distance that said second tubular member is spaced from said second tubular member is approximately 1¾ inches.
 11. The tool to straighten wall studs according to claim 10, wherein said handle, said first tubular member and said second tubular member are fabricated from tubular metal stock.
 12. The tool to straighten wall studs according to claim 11, wherein said tubular metal stock has a diameter of approximately ¾ of an inch.
 13. The tool to straighten wall studs according to claim 12, wherein said handle has a length of approximately 12 inches.
 14. The tool to straighten wall studs according to claim 13, wherein said first tubular member and said second tubular member each has a length of approximately 2¾ inches. 